乌司他丁对急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合征的治疗研究

目的研究大剂量乌司他丁在急性肺损伤/急性呼吸窘迫综合征中的治疗效果。方法回顾性分析2006年1月至2010年1月广西医科大学第一附属医院ICU收治的154例ALI/ARDS患者的临床资料,根据治疗方案分为乌司他丁组(UTI组)(n=80),对照组(n=74)。记录两组患者开始治疗、治疗第3天、治疗第7天的生命体征、动脉血气分析、血生化检查结果;记录患者在ICU治疗的转归。应用SPSS 13.0软件对结果进行统计学分析。结果经治疗3天UTI组呼吸频率低于对照组;动脉血气分析提示两组患者PaO2、PaO2/Fi O2、SaO2均有上升,UTI组PaO2/Fi O2略低于对照组(P0.01),而两组患者PaO2、SaO2比较无统计学差异。UTI组与对照组的死亡率比较(UTI组52.5%,对照组52.7%,P=0.980)无统计学差异,机械通气时间UTI组低于对照组[UTI组(14.8±3.9)天,对照组(16.7±4.2)天,P=0.020]。根据ALI/ARDS发生的病因分为肺内源性及肺外源性进行亚组分析(A组:肺内源性ALI/ARDS,使用UTI治疗;B组:肺内源性ALI/ARDS,不使用UTI治疗;C组:肺外源性ALI/ARDS,使用UTI治疗;D组:肺外源性ALI/ARDS,不使用UTI治疗),发现乌司他丁对肺外源性ALI/ARDS患者(C组)的ICU时间、ICU内死亡率及机械通气时间均低于不使用UTI的患者(D组)。结论大剂量乌司他丁用于ALI/ARDS的临床治疗可有效改善患者氧合指数,减少机械通气时间,且高血糖的发生率低,尤其是乌司他丁治疗肺外源性ALI/ARDS患者的预后优于肺内源性的ALI/ARDS。     

Ghrelin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome through the PI3K/AKT pathway

Pulmonary endothelial barrier dysfunction is a major pathophysiology observed in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Ghrelin, a key regulator of metabolism, has been shown to play protective roles in the respiratory system. However, its effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier injury are unknown. In this study, the effects of ghrelin on LPS-induced ARDS and endothelial cell injury were evaluated in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, mice treated with LPS (3 mg/kg intranasal application) were used to establish the ARDS model. Annexin V/propidium iodide apoptosis assay, scratch-wound assay, tube formation assay, transwell permeability assay, and Western blotting experiment were performed to reveal in vitro effects and underlying mechanisms of ghrelin on endothelial barrier function. Our results showed that ghrelin had protective effects on LPS-induced ARDS and endothelial barrier disruption by inhibiting apoptosis, promoting cell migration and tube formation, and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Furthermore, ghrelin stabilized LPS-induced endothelial barrier function by decreasing endothelial permeability and increasing the expression of the intercellular junction protein vascular endothelial cadherin. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of the PI3K pathway, reversed the protective effects of ghrelin on the endothelial cell barrier. In conclusion, our findings indicated that ghrelin protected against LPS-induced ARDS by impairing the pulmonary endothelial barrier partly through activating the PI3K/AKT pathway. Thus, ghrelin may be a valuable therapeutic strategy for the prevention or treatment of ARDS.     

急性呼吸窘迫综合征中miRNAs的生物标记作用与调控机制

MiRNAs作为非编码单链RNA分子,具有时空特异性和较高的保守性。近年来,许多实验数据证明,miRNA对细胞基因表达、细胞分化和组织发育等过程有着重要的调控作用,特别是在一些疾病的发生与发展中,miRNAs会异常表达且通过某些机制促进或抑制疾病的恶化。急性呼吸窘迫综合征(acute respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS)的发生由多种因素造成,主要临床表现为肺泡-毛细血管损伤。在ARDS发病过程中,一些miRNAs表达异常,且通过调控mRNA转录和表达,参与整个发病过程。在ARDS发病过程中明显上调或下调且具有特异性的miRNA分子可能为ARDS的预前及预后提供新的标志物,同时研究其调控机制也为诊疗提供新靶点。     

The protective effects of C16 peptide and angiopoietin-1 compound in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome

C16 peptide and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) have been found to have anti-inflammatory activity in various inflammation-related diseases. However, their combined role in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has not been investigated yet. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of C16 peptide and Ang-1 in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory insult in vitro and in vivo. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells were used as cell culture systems, and an ARDS rodent model was used for in vivo studies. Our results demonstrated that C16 and Ang-1 in combination significantly suppressed inflammatory cell transmigration by 33% in comparison with the vehicle alone, and decreased the lung tissue wet-to-dry lung weight ratio to a maximum of 1.53, compared to 3.55 in the vehicle group in ARDS rats. Moreover, C  +  A treatment reduced the histology injury score to 60% of the vehicle control, enhanced arterial oxygen saturation (SO₂), decreased arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO₂), and increased oxygen partial pressure (PO₂) in ARDS rats, while also improving the survival rate from 47% (7/15) to 80% (12/15) and diminishing fibrosis, necrosis, and apoptosis in lung tissue. Furthermore, when C  +  A therapy was administered 4 h following LPS injection, the treatment showed significant alleviating effects on pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration 24 h postinsult. In conclusion, our in vitro and in vivo studies show that C16 and Ang-1 exert protective effects against LPS-induced inflammatory insult. C16 and Ang-1 hold promise as a novel agent against LPS-induced ARDS. Further studies are needed to determine the potential for C16 and Ang-1 in combination in treating inflammatory lung diseases.     

Microarray analysis identifies IL-1 receptor type 2 as a novel candidate biomarker in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a disease associated with a high mortality rate. The initial phase is characterized by induction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and influx of circulating inflammatory cells, including macrophages which play a pivotal role in the innate and adaptive immune responses to injury. Growing evidence points to phenotypic heterogeneity and plasticity between various macrophage activation states.

Methods

In this study, gene expression in alveolar macrophages and circulating leukocytes from healthy control subjects and patients with ARDS was assessed by mRNA microarray analysis.

Results

Both alveolar macrophages and circulating leukocytes demonstrated up-regulation of genes encoding chemotactic factors, antimicrobial peptides, chemokine receptors, and matrix metalloproteinases. Two genes, the pro-inflammatory S100A12 and the anti-inflammatory IL-1 decoy receptor IL-1R2 were significantly induced in both cell populations in ARDS patients, which was confirmed by protein quantification. Although S100A12 levels did not correlate with disease severity, there was a significant association between early plasma levels of IL-1R2 and APACHE III scores at presentation. Moreover, higher levels of IL-1R2 in plasma were observed in non-survivors as compared to survivors at later stages of ARDS.

Conclusions

These results suggest a hybrid state of alveolar macrophage activation in ARDS, with features of both alternative activation and immune tolerance/deactivation.. Furthermore, we have identified a novel plasma biomarker candidate in ARDS that correlates with the severity of systemic illness and mortality.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-015-0190-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Contribution of neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase in the early phase of fulminant acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by influenza virus infection

Because the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by influenza virus infection remains unknown, we can only improve on existing therapeutic interventions. To approach the subject, we investigated immunological etiology focused on cytokines and an acute lung damage factor in influenza-induced ARDS by using a PR-8 (A/H1N1)-infected mouse model. The infected mouse showed fulminant severe pneumonia with leukocyte infiltration, claudin alteration on tight junctions, and formation of hyaline membranes. In addition to interferon (IFN)-α, plenty of keratinocyte-derived chemokines (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) were significantly released into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the model. We focused on neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a potent tissue damage factor and examined its contribution in influenza pneumonia by using mice genetically lacking in MPO. The absence of MPO reduced inflammatory damage with suppression of leakage of total BALF proteins associated with alteration of claudins in the lung. MPO(-/-) mice also suppressed viral load in the lung. The present study suggests that MPO-mediated OCl(-) generation affects claudin molecules and leads to protein leakage and viral spread as a damage factor in influenza-induced ARDS.     

Administration of microparticles from blood of the lipopolysaccharide-treated rats serves to induce pathologic changes of acute respiratory distress syndrome

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of intratracheal and intravenous administration of microparticles (MPs) on developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The blood MPs from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats were collected and examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cellular source of the MPs was identified by fluorescent-labeled antibodies after the circulating MPs were delivered to naïve rats. Levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-10 productions in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma were determined 24 h after the rats received intratracheal and intravenous administration of the MPs. Histopathologic examination of lungs was performed by light microscope. A TEM image of MPs showed spherical particles at a variable diameter from 0.1 to 0.5 µm. Endothelial- and leukocyte-derived vesicles were abundant in the investigated samples. Treatment with MPs may lead to significant increases in MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10 productions in BALF and plasma of the rats (all P < 0.001). Morphological observation indicated that alveolar structures were destroyed with a large amount of neutrophil infiltration in the lungs of the MP-treated rats. Perivascular and/or intra-alveolar hemorrhage were serious and hyaline membrane formed in the alveoli. Intratracheal and intravenous approaches to delivery of the circulating MPs to naïve recipient rats may induce ARDS. This presents an inducer of the onset of ARDS and provides potential therapeutic targets for attenuating lung injury.     

The effects of salbutamol on epithelial ion channels depend on the etiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome but not the route of administration

Introduction

We investigated the effects of intravenous and intratracheal administration of salbutamol on lung morphology and function, expression of ion channels, aquaporin, and markers of inflammation, apoptosis, and alveolar epithelial/endothelial cell damage in experimental pulmonary (p) and extrapulmonary (exp) mild acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

In this prospective randomized controlled experimental study, 56 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to mild ARDS induced by either intratracheal (n = 28, ARDSp) or intraperitoneal (n = 28, ARDSexp) administration of E. coli lipopolysaccharide. Four animals with no lung injury served as controls (NI). After 24 hours, animals were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated in pressure-controlled mode with low tidal volume (6 mL/kg), and randomly assigned to receive salbutamol (SALB) or saline 0.9% (CTRL), intravenously (i.v., 10 μg/kg/h) or intratracheally (bolus, 25 μg). Salbutamol doses were targeted at an increase of ≈ 20% in heart rate. Hemodynamics, lung mechanics, and arterial blood gases were measured before and after (at 30 and 60 min) salbutamol administration. At the end of the experiment, lungs were extracted for analysis of lung histology and molecular biology analysis. Values are expressed as mean ± standard deviation, and fold changes relative to NI, CTRL vs. SALB.

Results

The gene expression of ion channels and aquaporin was increased in mild ARDSp, but not ARDSexp. In ARDSp, intravenous salbutamol resulted in higher gene expression of alveolar epithelial sodium channel (0.20 ± 0.07 vs. 0.68 ± 0.24, p < 0.001), aquaporin-1 (0.44 ± 0.09 vs. 0.96 ± 0.12, p < 0.001) aquaporin-3 (0.31 ± 0.12 vs. 0.93 ± 0.20, p < 0.001), and Na-K-ATPase-α (0.39 ± 0.08 vs. 0.92 ± 0.12, p < 0.001), whereas intratracheal salbutamol increased the gene expression of aquaporin-1 (0.46 ± 0.11 vs. 0.92 ± 0.06, p < 0.001) and Na-K-ATPase-α (0.32 ± 0.07 vs. 0.58 ± 0.15, p < 0.001). In ARDSexp, the gene expression of ion channels and aquaporin was not influenced by salbutamol. Morphological and functional variables and edema formation were not affected by salbutamol in any of the ARDS groups, regardless of the route of administration.

Conclusion

Salbutamol administration increased the expression of alveolar epithelial ion channels and aquaporin in mild ARDSp, but not ARDSexp, with no effects on lung morphology and function or edema formation. These results may contribute to explain the negative effects of β2-agonists on clinical outcome in ARDS.     

肺水相关指数对重症烧伤并发急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者病情预后的评估价值

目的评价肺水相关指数对重症烧伤并发急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者严重程度、预后判断的价值。方法对31例重症烧伤并发ARDS患者,除记录一般临床资料及主要合并症外,均利用脉搏指示剂连续心输出量(PiCCO)监测仪监测,并记录置入PiCCO导管时的急性生理和慢性健康状况(APACHE)Ⅱ评分,置管后0、24、48、72h氧合指数,肺血管通透性指数(PVPI)和血管外肺水指数(EVLWI)值。根据28天预后分为存活组和死亡组,分析两组各指数之间的差异及其对预后的评估能力。结果纳入研究的31例患者中,28天内死亡21例(67.7%),吸入性损伤、脓毒血症是主要合并症及影响预后的主要因素。存活组患者置管后72h氧合指数高于死亡组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);存活组患者置管后48、72hPVPI低于死亡组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);存活组患者置管后24、48、72hEVLWI低于死亡组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着置管时间延长,氧合指数、PVPI、EVLWI均对预后评价准确性增加,置管后72h的氧合指数、PVPI、EVLWI值对预后的评价最佳,3个指数对预后评估价值差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论运用PiCCO监测仪对肺水相关指数连续监测对重症烧伤并发ARDS患者严重程度、预后评价具有重要临床意义。     

Enhancing autophagy in CD11c+ antigen-presenting cells as a therapeutic strategy for acute respiratory distress syndrome

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Neutralizing antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus spike is highly effective for the protection of mice in the murine SARS model

We evaluated the efficacy of three SARS vaccine candidates in a murine SARS model utilizing low-virulence Pp and SARS-CoV coinfection. Vaccinated mice were protected from severe respiratory disease in parallel with a low virus titer in the lungs and a high neutralizing antibody titer in the plasma. Importantly, the administration of spike protein-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody protected mice from the disease, indicating that the neutralization is sufficient for protection. Moreover, a high level of IL-6 and MCP-1 production, but not other 18 cytokines tested, on days 2 and 3 after SARS-CoV infection was closely linked to the virus replication and disease severity, suggesting the importance of these cytokines in the lung pathogenicity of SARS-CoV infection.     

一氧化氮在大鼠肢体缺血再灌注后肺损伤中的作用

在大鼠肢体缺血再灌注（LIR）损伤模型上,观察应用一氧化氮合酶（NOS）抑制剂氨基胍（AG）及一氧化氮（NO）合成前体物质L－精氨酸（L－Arg)对大鼠骨骼肌和肺组织的NOS活性、NO含量、丙二醛（MDA）、髓过氧化物酶（MPO）和湿／干重（W／D）值的影响以及肺磷脂酰胆碱（PC）的改变,并观察了肺组织在光镜下形态学的变化。结果显示,与对照组比较,LIR组骨骼肌和肺组织NOS活性均增强,MDA值、MPO活性增加,W／D值增大,肺PC含量降低;光镜下,肺间质多形核粒细胞（PMN）聚集和浸润,肺间隔面密度值增加。给予AG后,与LIR组相比NOS活性降低,NO产生下降,而MPO活性、W／D比值增加,肺PC含量进一步降低;镜下PMN聚集和浸润增加,肺间隔面密度值增大。而给予L－Arg后能 减轻LIR引起的上述变化。上述结果提示,LIR后2h时,骨骼肌和肺组织NOS活性增加,NO产生增多;内源性NO可能在LIR所诱发的早期急性肺损伤中起保护作用。     

Attenuated accumulation of regulatory T cells and reduced production of interleukin 10 lead to the exacerbation of tissue injury in a mouse model of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a pathological condition that involves diffuse lung injury and severe hypoxemia caused by pulmonary and systemic diseases. We have established a mouse model of severe ARDS, developed by intratracheal injection of α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer), an activator of natural killer T (NKT) cells, followed by LPS. In the present study, we used this model to investigate the regulatory mechanism in the early inflammatory response during acute lung injury. In α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice, the number of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expression of a Treg cell‐tropic chemokine, secondary lymphoid‐tissue chemokine (SLC), in the lungs was significantly lower than in mice treated with LPS alone. Giving recombinant (r)SLC increased the number of Treg cells in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice. Treatment with anti‐IFN‐γ mAb enhanced the expression of SLC and the accumulation of Treg cells in the lungs of α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice, whereas giving recombinant (r)IFN‐γ reduced the number of Treg cells in mice treated with LPS alone. IL‐10 production was significantly lower in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice than in mice treated with LPS alone. Giving rIL‐10 prolonged survival and attenuated lung injury as a result of reduced production of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ) and chemokines (including MCP‐1, RANTES, IP‐10, Mig, MIP‐2, and KC) in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice. Treatment with anti‐IFN‐γ mAb enhanced IL‐10 production in α‐GalCer/LPS‐treated mice. These results suggest that the attenuated accumulation of Treg cells may be involved in the development of severe ARDS through a reduction in the synthesis of IL‐10.

     

Age-dependent dysregulation of brain amyloid precursor protein in the Ts65Dn Down syndrome mouse model

Individuals with Down syndrome develop β-amyloid deposition characteristic of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) in mid-life, presumably because of an extra copy of the chromosome 21-located amyloid precursor protein ( App ) gene. App mRNA and APP metabolite levels were assessed in the brains of Ts65Dn mice, a mouse model of Down syndrome, using quantitative PCR, western blot analysis, immunoprecipitation, and ELISAs. In spite of the additional App gene copy, App mRNA, APP holoprotein, and all APP metabolite levels in the brains of 4-month-old trisomic mice were not increased compared with the levels seen in diploid littermate controls. However starting at 10 months of age, brain APP levels were increased proportional to the App gene dosage imbalance reflecting increased App message levels in Ts65Dn mice. Similar to APP levels, soluble amino-terminal fragments of APP (sAPPα and sAPPβ) were increased in Ts65Dn mice compared with diploid mice at 12 months but not at 4 months of age. Brain levels of both Aβ40 and Aβ42 were not increased in Ts65Dn mice compared with diploid mice at all ages examined. Therefore, multiple mechanisms contribute to the regulation towards diploid levels of APP metabolites in the Ts65Dn mouse brain.     

从肠道菌群角度再认识血管紧张素转换酶2在严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2致病机制中的潜在作用

2019冠状病毒病(coronavirus disease 2019,COVID-19)的病原学和临床表现多有报道。该病在病原学和临床表现上与发生在2003年的严重急性呼吸综合征(severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS)有诸多相似性。本文通过对比两者异同,尝试从其共同受体血管紧张素转换酶2(angiotensin converting enzyme 2,ACE2)角度,提出并探讨患者肠道菌群可能参与其致病的潜在机制,旨在为深入探索新型冠状病毒,即严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2)的致病机制及加速研发重症肺炎预测指标提供一种可能的新思路。     

A test for constant fatality rate of an emerging epidemic: with applications to severe acute respiratory syndrome in Hong Kong and Beijing

Summary .   The etiology, pathogenesis, and prognosis for a newly emerging disease are generally unknown to clinicians. Effective interventions and treatments at the earliest possible times are warranted to suppress the fatality of the disease to a minimum, and inappropriate treatments should be abolished. In this situation, the ability to extract most information out of the data available is critical so that important decisions can be made. Ineffectiveness of the treatment can be reflected by a constant fatality over time while effective treatment normally leads to a decreasing fatality rate. A statistical test for constant fatality over time is proposed in this article. The proposed statistic is shown to converge to a Brownian motion asymptotically under the null hypothesis. With the special features of the Brownian motion, we are able to analyze the first passage time distribution based on a sequential tests approach. This allows the null hypothesis of constant fatality rate to be rejected at the earliest possible time when adequate statistical evidence accumulates. Simulation studies show that the performance of the proposed test is good and it is extremely sensitive in picking up decreasing fatality rate. The proposed test is applied to the severe acute respiratory syndrome data in Hong Kong and Beijing.     

MCTR1 enhances the resolution of lipopolysaccharide‐induced lung injury through STAT6‐mediated resident M2 alveolar macrophage polarization in mice

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a fatal disease characterized by excessive infiltration of inflammatory cells. MCTR1 is an endogenously pro‐resolution lipid mediator. We tested the hypothesis that MCTR1 accelerates inflammation resolution through resident M2 alveolar macrophage polarization. The mice received MCTR1 via intraperitoneal administration 3 days after LPS stimulation, and then, the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected 24 hours later to measure the neutrophil numbers. Flow cytometry was used to sort the resident and recruited macrophages. Post‐treatment with MCTR1 offered dramatic benefits in the resolution phase of LPS‐induced lung injury, including decreased neutrophil numbers, reduced BAL fluid protein and albumin concentrations and reduced histological injury. In addition, the expression of the M2 markers Arg1, FIZZ1, Remlα, CD206 and Dectin‐1 was increased on resident macrophages in the LPS + MCTR1 group. Resident macrophage depletion abrogated the therapeutic effects of MCTR1, and reinjection of the sorted resident macrophages into the lung decreased neutrophil numbers. Finally, treatment with MCTR1 increased STAT6 phosphorylation. The STAT6 inhibitor AS1517499 abolished the beneficial effects of MCTR1. In conclusion, MCTR1 promotes resident M2 alveolar macrophage polarization via the STAT6 pathway to accelerate resolution of LPS‐induced lung injury.     

A phase I study evaluating the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of an antibody-based tissue factor antagonist in subjects with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome

Background

Several studies suggest an increase of oxidative stress and a reduction of endothelial function in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). We assessed the association between OSAS, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Further aim was to evaluate the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on oxidative stress and arterial dysfunction.

Methods

We studied 138 consecutive patients with heavy snoring and possible OSAS. Patients underwent unattended overnight home polysomnography. Ten patients with severe OSAS were revaluated after 6?months of nCPAP therapy. To assess oxidative stress in vivo, we measured urinary 8-iso-PGF2?? and serum levels of soluble NOX2-derived peptide (sNOX2-dp). Serum levels of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) were also determined. Flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD) was measured to asses endothelial function.

Results

Patients with severe OSAS had higher urinary 8-iso-PGF2?? (p<0.001) and serum NOX2 and lower NOx. A negative association was observed between FMD and OSA severity. Apnea/hypopnea index was significantly correlated with the indices of central obesity and with urinary 8-isoprostanes (r=0.298, p<0.001). The metabolic syndrome (t=-4.63, p<0.001) and urinary 8-isoprostanes (t=-2.02, p<0.05) were the only independent predictors of FMD. After 6-months nCPAP treatment, a significant decrease of serum NOX2, (p<0.005) and urinary 8-iso-PGF2?? (p<0.01) was observed, while serum NOx showed only a minor increase. A statistically significant increase of FMD was observed (from 3.6% to 7.0%).

Conclusions

The results of our study indicate that patients with OSAS and cardiometabolic comorbidities have increased oxidative stress and arterial dysfunction that are partially reversed by nCPAP treatment.